Leaps and Bounds

The flu ended up sticking around longer than we would have liked. Callum was sick in total for about 10 days. The worst part lasted about 5 but he wasn't 100% until 10 days had passed. When he returned to daycare, it was only him and one other baby. Everyone else now has it! Nasty stuff. Callum's enthusiasm for eating has waned somewhat which is disappointing but at least he's eating again. We experienced a hunger strike for about 3 days when it was a bottle or nothing. The child wouldn't open his mouth. The day I was about to call the doctor's office for the fourth time that week, he choked down some cereal and I knew that we were going to be okay. Since the plague of 2009, Callum's been doing beautifully with everything an 8 month 4 week old baby should be doing. He is crawling slowly but surely. It doesn't help that we have hard wood floors everywhere but he is pretty impressive on carpet. Callum can also pull himself up on chairs, the couch, coffee table, etc. as well as walk with help. My favorite is when he sees something he wants and, while standing, thrusts his body towards it head first. Basically his upper body lunges but his feet stay planted to the floor. He has no fear. I'd say on average he bumps his head about five times a day although he hardly ever cries when doing it. His crib has been dropped down too because he loves standing in it. Callum's also successfully said his first two words-- Da Da and Ma Ma. Each were said purposefully to get Iain and my attention after one of us walked into a room. Absolutely wonderful feeling. I would have given him some chocolate if I'd had some after hearing it. So far, almost nine months, and no teeth. I'm not sure what's going on with that, but Callum has the most wonderful gummy grin that I almost think that a tooth or two would screw it up. Although I'm not sure how he will ever eat real foods. I guess it will be pureed vegetables forever.

Lessons Learned

The Burnetts have survived the first and hopefully only stomach flu we will see in 2009 (or at least this month). The flu was much harder on Callum than Iain or I but I supposed that this is because this is his first experience with it. I'd like to say his last but likely isn't so. Callum in total was sick for five days-Iain and I for 24 hours a piece. I learned several lessons caring for a sick baby. As mentioned before, Pedialyte is a great thing to have around the house in advance of needing it. For those of you not familiar with Pedialyte- it is a drink for children that restores nutrients to the body when ill. Fortunately a co-worker was kind enough on Friday morning to run to the store and pick it up for me when I desperately needed it and didn't want to drag Callum out of the house. Although Callum didn't want to drink it, after seeing the results of a sick baby drinking formula, he learned quickly to wash it down because Mommy wasn't giving him anything else. I also learned that I needed more Pedialyte than I thought I ever would. In total, I made 4 trips to the grocery store, buying 6 bottles of it over a span of several days. This stuff isn't cheap either so next time it is on sale, I am stocking up! Another lesson learned is that even though you think your baby is better- personality is normal, he is eating the recommended solids (applesauce, rice cereal)- if the nurse at Franklin County Pediatrics tells you that the bug is staying with infants for 5-8 days- believe her. Until Callum can talk, I'm going to follow the nurse's instructions a bit better and avoid the solids. My final lesson learned is that no matter how many times you wash your hands, scrub down toys/highchairs/counter tops with Clorox wipes and wash sheets/clothes/towels in hot water on the long cycle AND suffer through a flu shot- you will still get sick from caring for your baby. Fortunately it only lasted a day, but yesterday was long enough for me to beg Iain to come home at lunchtime and relieve me of Callum so that I could rest. He obliged and I spent the afternoon napping while he and Callum played. Stay well everyone!

Sick

While my baby boy grabs a much needed nap, I'll post that the stomach flu has hit the Burnett household. Callum's been sick since Friday and it seems to have gotten worse since then. I was at home all day Friday and now this morning. Iain's leaving work early since, of course, new students arrive and the semester begins today. Yikes! A bad time to be at home and/or sick with the flu so I'll be in this afternoon. There's only so much work I can do at home without advance preparation. To date, I've had no symptoms-Iain was feeling rough yesterday-and I am hoping that my flu shot will do its job. New pics and a happier update will be provided when we are germ free...until then, Pedialyte is my new best friend.

Phew!

The holiday season is done and the Burnetts are exhausted. I can truly say that we had a fabulous Christmas, New Year and in between, but all of it kicked our butts. I have never had a Christmas Eve when I couldn't believe that I still had presents to wrap (Callum's) and other loose ends. That definitely won't work when he is a few years older and knows that the presents are coming. We didn't even bother to hide them! Iain, Callum and I had a wonderful visit with Gran and Grandad Burnett (Edna and Andrew/Mum and Dad to you adults out there), who flew all the way to the U.S. to spend time with us. Callum received lots of wonderful gifts and cuddles and we got to sleep in several mornings. All five of us piled into our lovely 2 door Honda Accord-not the best "family" car and ventured through the mountains of Maryland to spend New Year's with the Sloan family. While there, many cookies were eaten and games were played including Andrew and Edna's first experience with a Wii. Fun times. It's not just for kids. Now we are successfully into 2009 and I have two resolutions. Technically I haven't officially started one yet but it will begin next week. First, I will wear sunscreen every day. Sounds kinda dumb but I used to do this every day on my face. Then I slacked off. But I think that it is an important way to avoid skin cancer and wrinkles since I approach year 29 next month. Applying sunscreen is slightly difficult since I am in such a rush these mornings-Callum doesn't quite understand Mommy's need for a shower, blow dry, makeup application and clothing-so adding even one more thing is hard. But I know SPF is important and I resolve to wear it as often as possible. My second resolution is to lose my baby weight. I couldn't find much motivation to do this prior to Cookie Fest 2008, I mean Christmas, but now that it is 4 months away from Callum's 1st birthday, I just can't justify how I look and feel. So as of Monday, I'll be back on the South Beach diet. I did this pre-pregnancy to tone up for Jen Bell Kosior's wedding and was successful. The first two weeks stink but I need something to motivate me to move past my current body situation. A Happy New Year to all of you and good luck with your resolutions or anything you've decided that you want to do better, start doing or quit. I'll post some new pictures soon and give a Callum update.